“And the arms of his [Joseph's] hands were made strong
By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob
(From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel)...” ~ Genesis 49:24, NKJV
Before he died, Jacob blessed his twelve sons. His blessings included elements of prophesy, and there are at least two allusions to the coming Messiah. Verse 24 (part of Joseph's blessing) is one of those allusions. From the Mighty God of Jacob, who had strengthened Joseph's hands when he was in trouble, would come the Shepherd and the Stone of Israel. These two titles of the Messiah are rich with analogies that help us better understand just who this Messiah is. As our Shepherd, He loves, cares, guides, protects, provides, and even lays down His life for us; as our Stone, He is our rock, foundation, anchor, source of certainty, memorial, watchtower, and meeting place. (I think of the times in Jacob's life where a stone became a sign of God watching between him and his enemies; a place where God met with him; and a remembrance of God's promises.) I treasure these Messianic titles because they speak to the needs of the human heart. They answer fears, longings, questions, hurts, uncertainties, and so much more. Jacob was a sinful man. He stumbled many times in his life. Yet through him we see God's grace, because it is through Jacob, through Isaac, through Abraham, that the Lord sent the Messiah - the Shepherd, the Stone - to be our Savior and Redeemer. In Israel all the nations of the world are blessed!
by Rebecca...
No comments:
Post a Comment